Overview

Dr. Liao is dedicated to the highest standards of patient care. Dr. Liao brings the latest techniques in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to serve patients, tailored to each patient's anatomy and desires.

Biography

Dr. Liao will provide you the best outcome with the safest approach. Dr. Liao applies techniques from cosmetic surgery to improve reconstructive results. Dr. Liao developed minimally invasive and short scar cosmetic facial and breast procedures, and endoscopic tummy tuck procedure. His depth of clinical experience, creativity, and focus on safety combine to optimize outcome for both cosmetic and reconstructive patients.

Dr. Liao is an Associate Professor in Surgery and Director of Cleft and Craniofacial Center at MGH. He graduated from Stanford University, Harvard Medical School / M.I.T., and trained in Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency. Dr. Liao's clinical and academic excellence have earned numerous prestigious awards: American Surgical Association Fellowship, March of Dimes Basil O'Connor Scholarship, MGH Cancer Center 100 Honoree. Dr. Liao was named a Mass General Research Scholar in 2018, for his unique ability to translate research to improve patient outcomes. When Dr. Liao is involved in your care, it is a personal and expert relationship. He reciprocates your trust and those of your loved ones with great surgical skill, aesthetic sense and the best technology has to offer.

Research & Publications

Dr. Liao strives to improve patient care through clinical and basic research innovation. He has made important contributions on various topics in breast surgery, such as novel techniques in cosmetic breast surgery (short scar endoscopic tummy tuck, scarless breast reduction, hidden scar breast augmentation) and reconstruction (muscle sparing direct to implant breast reconstruction). He is particularly interested in how to make smarter decisions before surgery, optimizing cosmetic and safety outcomes.

Dr. Liao is active in leadership positions at the national and international levels, through major surgical organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery, Society of University Surgeons, Plastic Surgery Research Council, and the American College of Surgeons. He and his research fellows present at national meetings regularly, on topics ranging from breast surgery to craniofacial developmental genetics.

Dr. Liao is a Principal Investigator and Faculty of the Center for Regenerative Medicine, and Principal Faculty of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. His laboratory investigates the genetic regulation of craniofacial development. His research program is funded by the National Institutes of Health, with prestigious awards from the American Surgical Association and the March of Dimes. In 2018, Dr. Liao was named Mass General Research Scholar, a prestigious MGH award.

Fellowship positions in basic and clinical research can be arranged with Dr. Liao. For more information about the Craniofacial Developmental Biology Laboratory, see the research lab website.

News & Events

Researchers from MassGeneral Hospital for Children are using animal models to investigate the genetic and cellular triggers of human clefting. Their findings could lead to the development of earlier detection and more effective treatments capable of halting or reversing cleft development.

Multimedia

Transgenic embryo with neural crest cells labeled with kaede photoconvertible fluorescent protein, positioned with anterior pointing toward the right of screen. The most anterior CNCC are photoconverted (from green to red) and their migration is followed. The anterior (red cells) delaminate from a cluster of cells to a sheet as they migrate in a caudal to rostral direction, contributing to the median ethmoid plate.